Yes John, I would take Ronni's input as gospel there. Follow her lead explicitly.
The file size limitation (4GB) of FAT32 may or may not be an issue for you. The resultant file size for an AVI file I think is resolution dependant (example - I have an episode of Top Gear in AVI format - it is 50 minutes approx and is a file of 242MB). But some home video taken on my HD camcorder, some of the individual segments (20 min approx) exceed the 4GB file size so are a problem for the FAT32 drive. So if you're using HD files, expect large files of short run time. So it comes down to if you're prepared to accept the compromise in file size handling capability to have the cross compatibility. For me this was a bearable compromise. Regards Peter... -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ronda Brown Sent: Friday, 30 April 2010 2:09 PM To: WAMUG Mailing List Subject: Re: My Passport portable drive Hi John, I'm just rushing out to a job, so can only quickly give you this information. 1. FAT32 is the best free way to format a drive cross platform, but the best way is to buy MacDrive <http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive/> and install it on your Windows computer, then to format the drive as HFS+. This is the native format for Macs, and with MacDrive it is read very nicely in Windows. No more ._ files, and things will just work more smoothly everywhere. (Also, FAT32 is a very inefficient format for large drives. A 500GB drive in FAT32 is actually rather nightmarishly inefficient.) 2. If a maximum file size limit of 4Gb doesn't bother you (remembering 4GB of say AVI would be about 7 minutes of video), then use FAT32. Use the Mac to format the FAT32 volume, not the PC. On your Mac: Use Disk Utility > Erase tab (for a single partition, or Disk Utility > Partition tab for more than one partition). Disk Utility calls HFS+ "Mac OS Extended", and it calls FAT32 "MS-DOS File System". That's all I have time for a the moment, I have to rush out now. Cheers, Ronni 17" MacBook Pro Intel Core i7 2.66GHz / 4GB / 1067 MHz DDR3 / 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200rpm OS X 10.6.3 Snow Leopard Windows 7 Ultimate (under sufferance) On 30/04/2010, at 1:51 PM, Jlin wrote: > > Peter, > Appreciate the reply. The only options given where > Mac OS standard 465.1 Gb > Mac OS extended 465.1 Gb > DOS 465.1 Gb > > That is when connected to mac > > > John > > Sent from my iPod > > On 30/04/2010, at 1:36 PM, "Crisp, Peter" <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> Yes, you can select a number of formats in setting up an external drive, >> the only one in my experience that is cross-compatible between PC and >> Mac is "FAT32". The only downside of FAT32 that I can ascertain so far >> is the file size limitation of 4GB for any one file. Only really an >> issue for video files. >> >> Regards >> >> Peter... >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On >> Behalf Of [email protected] >> Sent: Friday, 30 April 2010 1:19 PM >> To: WAMUG Mailing List >> Subject: My Passport portable drive >> >> >> >> Hi, >> Can someone help? I have just obtained a WD My passport Essential >> Utra-portable >> Hard Drive 500Gb usb 2.0 ( brand new) when I connect it to my Mac >> PowerBook it >> say that the disc isn't formatted and provides options. The powerBook >> is a >> prismo running OS 9.1. The reason I have the new HD is to back the info >> pending >> upgrade. I would like to be able to used the HD like I can with A USB >> stick ie I >> can use it at home (MAc and PC) and use it at work (PC). When I attach >> to PC at >> home I can store files on the HD but the problem comes when I connect it >> to >> PowerBook. Is there away to be able to have it connect to either? >> >> Appreciate any help >> >> John Hatch >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]> ***************************** NOTICE - This message from Hatch is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information which is privileged, confidential or proprietary. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, arrive late or contain viruses. By communicating with us via e-mail, you accept such risks. When addressed to our clients, any information, drawings, opinions or advice (collectively, "information") contained in this e-mail is subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the governing agreements. 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